Zac Efron: I went on food binge to make me bigger for The Lucky One role

Zac Efron has shed his teen heartthrob image and has been getting into character for his new role in The Lucky One by piling on the pounds and sporting a severe new haircut.

The High School Music actor is taking on the role of a marine veteran of the Iraq war and told E! he has gained 1st 4lbs to beef up his physique for the film.

Zac Efron is to appear as a US marine in The Lucky One (PA)

‘I was just eating, eating and eating,’ Efron, who reportedly broke up with his Disney co-star Vanessa Hudgens late last year, said.

He also revealed he’s not that happy with his new buzzcut, another sacrifice he had to make to get into character.

When asked if he missed his old hairstyle, the 23-year-old replied ‘always’, adding: ‘It was kind of my thing.’

The Lucky One, based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks, stars Efron as Logan Thibault, a marine who serves three tours in Iraq before returning home and searching for the woman he believes brought him luck on the front line.

Due for release in 2012, the film also stars Blythe Danner, Taylor Schilling and Adam LeFevre.